Head Start Teacher - Fort Valley State University

Job Summary: The Head Start Teacher assists in overseeing and directing the planning, organizing, and implementation of education services for children, in addition to part-time classroom teacher duties which include developing and implementing individual educational plans for children.

Based on the needs of the program, the teacher may be assigned to any of the counties that are served (Taylor, Dooly, Crisp, and Macon).

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Maintains a developmentally appropriate classroom setting, confident files on all children
• Corresponds and works with parents
• Teaches and develops lesson plans as outlined in the program's adopted curriculum
• Participates in daily planning with Teacher Assistant based on assessment outcomes and child interest
• Assures classroom operates within the guidelines and standards of the Fort Valley State University Head Start Policies and Procedures and the Head Start Performance Standards
• Provides supervision and guidance to all children
• Provides an environment that reflects the cultures of all children in the program in an integrated way
• Provides for the health, safety and welfare of all children in the group
• Completes and submits required forms and records in a timely and accurate fashion, e.g., lesson plans, time sheets, meal reports etc;
• Eats with and assists children in development of social and self-help skills, and sound nutritional practices
• Uses home visits and parent conferences to discuss the child's individual development and progress, assists the parents in developing observational skills and solicits parent observations
• Implements children's Individual Education Plan (IEP)
• Displays a high level of effort and commitment to performing work; operates effectively within the organizational structure and is inclusive of children with special needs and disabilities
• Participates in staff development opportunities
• Reads and interprets documents such as safety rules and procedures manuals
• Maintains an annual physical and Tuberculosis vaccination
• Performs other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum:

• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood, Infant & Child Development or related area
• Six (6) months experience working with infants and toddlers
• Current CPR and First Aid certifications (adult and pediatric)
• Good communication skills, flexibility and teamwork

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA's):

• Knowledge of preschool development principles and practices
• Knowledge of effective child guidance practices and principles
• Knowledge and experience in the philosophy and practices of Head Start (or comparable child development programs), early childhood education, developmentally appropriate practice, and bilingual education
• Ability to successfully pass a drug screening and background check
• Ability to relocate to another center within the program whenever needed
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules and procedures manuals

Preferred:

• Experience in working with children three to five years of age

Working Conditions:

• Must have reliable transportation to travel to and from one of the centers located in Taylor, Macon, Dooly and Crisp counties
• Must be punctual and able to work Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p. m
• Must be able to work indoors as well as transition the classroom outdoors
• Possible exposure to communicable diseases
• Possible exposure to blood and bodily fluids or tissues
• Job requires sitting for long period of time (during planning and reporting) and standing for long periods of time (during observations and training), as well as stooping, squatting, and running

Physical Requirements:

• Regularly required to sit; use hands and fingers, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear; lift and/or move up to 20 pounds
• Frequently required to stand; walk; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl
• Occasionally lift 20 pounds overhead and 40 pounds from waist to shoulder
• Specific vision abilities required include close, distant and color visions, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus
• Noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate